I've often thought that a photojournalist's greatest gift is empathy, but there is a cost, the burden of empathy. Finding a balance as a photojournalist is tough.

All Photos - Steve Russell

Sarah Watkin is cuddled in bed by her mother Leah. Sarah was undergoing both radiation and chemotherapy while was Leah taking medication that pushes stem cells from her marrow as they prepared for a stem cell transplant. Sarah was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in October 2012. For five months, she stayed in the hospital for chemotherapy. By February 2013, she was in remission but her cancer came back last November.

Earlier this year I worked on the Sick Kids special section, 16 pages of stories, some light and fluffy, others looking into the lives of children in the fight of their lives.

A look at how three families from Bangladesh celebrated their first Ramadan in Canada.

Marta Iwanek

Mousomi Shahariar prays in her living room during the month of Ramadan. She came to Canada in August of last year to be with her husband and this is her first Ramadan away from home.

A stretch of Danforth Avenue near Dawes Rd. and Victoria Park Ave. is home to Toronto's Bangladeshi community. It is a place many newcomers say eases the longing for home because speaking their native language, practicing their culture or eating their cuisine is readily available. The month of Ramadan is a time for fasting, reflection, but also a time for family, and the longing for home can be great among the newcomers of the predominantly Muslim country. Some find solace in the fact that friends become family here.

The celebration of Eid al-Fitr lets Bangladeshi clan take stock of their adjustments.